THE PINK Ladies Bournemouth swimming team will be attempting to swim the Channel as a relay team for charity.

The six keen swimmers were brought together by their love of the sea and their window to complete the gruelling challenge is between August 12 and 19. With no wetsuits allowed, the group must complete the roughly 21 mile swim wearing only costumes, goggles and a hat.

Team member Emma Christison said: “We are all a little concerned because jellyfish have just started to appear, so with bare legs we could have a rather unpleasant time.

“We have been training for this for more than two years through rain and snow to prepare for the cold water.”

Also known as the Seabrook Seals ladies channel relay team, the group consists of Beckie Spry, Gemma Peat, Lucy Hawthorne, Gill Muldoon, Emma Christison and Viv Artingstall. They are fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Emma said: “The RNLI and air ambulance are an essential part of the coastline and we have chosen to support Macmillan because we have all been touched by cancer in some way.”

They have raised £1,509 so far, but they hope this will grow even more.

The group will take it in turn to swim for one hour each, but some will be swimming further than others depending on the current.

Lucy, 38 said: “The Channel is the Everest of the swimming world and we will be so chuffed if we can crack it working together as a team. Our children are all very proud of us and we hope that by seeing us work hard to reach our goal that they realise they will also be able to fulfil their dreams and ambitions if they set their minds to it.”

Their fundraising page is: virginmoneygiving.com/seabrooksealsladiesrelayswim